ABSTRACT
While the missile gap myth was at its height, and for some time after, the Soviets tried to bluff the West into retreating, over Berlin and other issues. As the Americans tried to close the supposed Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) lead, they sought to deploy an interim strategic missile, the land-based Intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM), which should be ready soon—despite extreme interservice rivalries and increasing doubts about the military effectiveness of the Thors and Jupiters. The Soviets maintained their psychological advantage, although they launched only one space mission in 1958, orbiting Sputnik III, a 2,925-pound, well-equipped geophysical laboratory that made the Explorers and Vanguards look pitiful. In 1958 the Americans hoped to beat the Soviets to the next objective in space but many engineers were skeptical of success. Nevertheless, the new Advanced Research Projects Agency authorized "Project Mona" in March, to send Pioneer probes to the Moon.
